Sanitary can opener apparatus



July 22, 1952 R. A. BRUCE ET AL 2,603,358

SANITARY CAN OPENER APPARATUS Filed Sept. 16, 1949 6 Sheets-Sheet l(Qzmvwiawu Q a -flme .QoZew-Z WyaWWa July 22, 1952 R. A. BRUCE ET AL2,603,858

SANITARY CAN OPENER APPARATUS Filed Sept. 16, 1949 s Sheets-Shet 2 gagQT @fiuce July 22, 1952 R. A. BRUCE ET AL 2,603,858

SANITARY CAN OPENER APPARATUS Filed Sept. 16, 1949 e Sheets-Sheet 3 (z 76"; wig y J July 22, 1952 R. A. BRUCE ET AL 2,603,858

SANITARY CAN OPENER APPARATUS Filed Sept. 16, 1949 6 Sheets-Sheet 4@ZeWZ W aw zw/a July 22, 1952 R. A. BRUCE ET AL 2,603,358

- SANITARY CAN OPENER APPARATUS Filed Sept. 16, 1949 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 IPUNCH cmv July 22, 1952 R. A. BRUCE ET AL 2,603,853

SANITARY (JAN OPENER APPARATUS Filed Sept. 16, 1949 6 Sheets-Sheet 6Patented July 22, 1952 1 UNITED sTAT E s PATENT OFFICE Roy A. Bruce andRobert W. Haman, Elmhurst,

111., assignors to The Wander Company, Chicago, 111;, a corporation ofDelaware Application September 16, 194.9, SerialNo."116,088.

1 l The present invention relates generally to ,improved apparatus. forefiecting automatic and sanitary opening of sealed containers, and'isparticularly adapted for'use in opening metal cans containing beverageswhich are frequently dispensed by conventional type automatic vendingmachines.

The packaging of foods in individual containers for merchandising inautomatic vending machine has long been commonplace. Moreover, it iswell known that the bulk of the merchandise delivered by automaticvending machines is normally consumed in the immediate vicinity of themachine, and this is particularly true in the case of. beverages.Accordingly, the provision .of suitable means for accomplishingimmediate and'safe opening of the purchased containers is considered tobe essential't o successful vending of such merchandise. I

In the use of container and can opening means known prior to the presentinvention, there has been a tendency for a portion of the contents toadhere to or accumulate uponcertain operative elements of the openingdevice. Such accumulations are always unsightly, and in merchandisingfoods which contain a substantial percentage of protein and fat, such aschocolate'milk, etc, the adhering material constitutes a favorablemedium for bacteria growth resulting in somewhat unsanitary operation.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide improved,container-opening apparatus which is operative to open most containersof the can type, which is adapted for clean and sanitary operation inrepeated use, and which may be used in combination with a vendingmachine 'or placed, independently, on a store counter near the point ofsale of sealed cans or other containers.

A specific object of the invention is to provide a novel sterilizingarrangement for accomplishing thorough asepticizing of a punching orpiercing member in automatic can opening apparatus.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent byreference to the following specification and accompanying. drawings,

wherein selective embodiments of the novel structure are illustrated. v

In the drawings:

Fig. '1 is a perspective view of a conventional type vending machineincorporating the novel container-opening device of the invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged front view of the contamer-opener device Fig. 3 isa fragmentary viewtaken along the lines 33 in Fig. 2-;

7 Claims. 30-4) Fig. 4is a perspective view of a can which contains asolution for asepticizing the punching or piercing member used inopening a can of merchandise; Figs. 5 and'fi are side views, partiallyin section, of the can shown in the previous figure;

Fig. 6a is a perspective view of a member disposed within the can ofasepticizing solution;

Fig. 7 is a view taken along line 1-1 in Fig. 6;

Figs. 8 and 9 are side views, partially in section,

of a can containing an asepticizing solution showing successivepositions of a punching member withinthe can; i h

a Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken substantiallyalonglinesl0l[linFig.2; 1 1 Fig. 11 is an enlarged' view of a portion ofthe structure shown in Fig. 2, certain "portions being broken away tomore clearly show parts of the operating mechanism for the can openingapiparatus;

Fig. 12 is a plan view of the operating nism illustrated in Figs. 10 and11;

Fig. 13 is a schematic illustration of the control circuit and operatingmechanism; 1

Fig. 14 is a diagram showing the speedof the motor actuating the canopening mechanism at various times during operation; I

Fig. 15 is another diagram indicating successive positions'of thepunching member during'operation; and.

Figs. 1 6 and.1'7 illustrate a modification embodying certain featuresof the invention.

Can openingv apparatus in ac'cordance with the invention may comprise aseparate unit which can be placed upon a counter or table and used toopen cans or thelike independently of other apparatus. However, forpurposes of describing the invention, the can opening apparatus,indicated generally at l3 in the drawings, is shown incorpo rated in aconventional type vending machine, designated I5.

The vending machine l5 comprises a cabinet it of conventionalconstruction which contains and supports the various operative elementsof the machine and provides a pleasing outward appearance. The elementsof the machine comprise, in the present instance, means a (not shown)for storing sealed cans of merchandise, as for exam'ple, chocolate milk,a disbursing tray [1, the can opening apparatus l3, and a coinoperatedunit which isoperative to drop a single can of chocolate milk from thestorage means (not shown) into the disbursing tray l1 and to ready thecan opening apparatus I3 for operation. 7 I

For operation of the machine l5, a coin or token is dropped into a slot23 in the coin operated unit m hareturn receptacle 28 is provided in thecoin oper ated unit |9 for returning the. deposited. coinor token if thesupply of cans is exhausted'orif'the coin is defective.

The can opening apparatus. I3-includesahouseing 29, punching or piercingmeans 3 li fonopenling r 4 openings 5| and 53 to provide the chambers 59and BI.

Each of the chambers 59 and 6| includes a suitable guide means disposedtherein for holdin the can and the asepticizing means 36 in apredetermined position, in order to positively locate-theseelements forengagement'bythe punching means 3|. In the illustrated construction, theguide means I includes a plurality of vertically extending rods 13 whichare fixedly attached to the housing 29 at their lower ends and to asemicircularri'm -|'5-at their upper ends. The rim l5 is adapted to fitover the top of the can 25 and the can 25, power means33,.powertransmission means for connecting the power means 33110 thepunching means 3|, means 36 for aseptici'zingithe punching means 3| soas 'to provide sanitary operation; and'a control circuitor timingmeans.3;'l for actuating the power means .3 3. in proper. sequence. vInthe. illustrated embodiment, the can opening apparatus |3 also includesmeans 39 for storing straws.- 4I: which may be usedby the-purchaser inconsuming the contents of theic'anlfi. Thestraw storage means 39 islocated inthe housing. 2-9 so that-the straws are readily available.operation, the punching means 31 is moved forma standby orrest-position, shown .at 4.3 in Figs. 2. and -3 ,-into contact with. thecan '25 to pierce the can. After the can..2.5- is opened, .the punchingmeans 3| is withdrawnfrom the. can .and is moved past its rest positionla-into the asepticizing means 36 which-washes v ofli and/or .killganyharmful bacteria on the. operative portionofthezpunching.means.The-punchingmeans .3 is-then,v automatically returned to the rest .orstandby position 43 and-is ready for further operation. I --Thehousingv29. of; the. apparatus l3.isgenerally box-shaped (Fig. 2) andfabricatediromsuit- :able angle. andv plate members. Inthe illustratedconstruction, the housing-.29 is supported .upon the mainframe structure(not shown)- ofthe vendingmachine i5 and the interior of thelhousing 29is made accessibleior maintenance-and other purposes through theprovision of amen-10vablebacklplate 4 which. isscrewedto-the housing 29as shown at 49 (Fig. 10). r Openings 5| and 53are tormedinv the face ofthe housing (Fig. '2.) .to permitinsertion. and .removal of the cans :25ofnhocolate milk, and access tothe asepticizing means. 3 5,.respectively. Theseopenings- 5| and 53 are closed by doors 5.5 and 51which slide vertically iii-tracks (notshown') attached to the housing2.9. For convenience .in raising and lowering thedoors 55 and 5],.lknobs56 and 58 are provided. lit-will be understood that thedoors may behingedly or otherwisesupported. The door 51 is normally locked in theclosed position by a manuallyoperatedlatch 580. which is :pivotallysupported upon the housinglfl (Fig. 3). The housing 2 9 is separatedinto compartments, .59 designating a chamberior the can 25 ofmerchandise, 9| indicatinga chamber forth-e asepti- .cizing means 36,and 63 designating a compartmentinwhich the timing means 31.. powermeans ..33;.and power transmission means. 35'. are located. A easinghaving back member 65 is disposed within the housing 29 and separatesthe compartmerit-.63 located in the rearward portion of the housing 29,from the chambers59 and 5|. A vertically disposed plate 61 (Fig. 11),extends between'the back member 65-05 the casing Bil-and a portion ofthe housing 29 disposed betweenthe means '33.

asepticizingjmeanssw (Figs. 3 and 10).

Thestraw containing means 39 is attached to the casing 64. as. shown inFig. 2, and includes 'a'cylindrically shaped can 11 which is accessiblethrough an opening 19 in the face of the housing 29. The opening isclosed by a circular door 8| which may be openedby aknobor tab 83attached to the door. The punching means 3| moves alternately betweencompartments 59 and, 6 during, Operation and includes a spike orbit 85which is preferably .iabricated froma stainless, corrosion resistantalloy. The'bi't '85 is threadedly attached to a collar 81- at its upper.end, thecollar being connected to the power transmission means 35 by arod 89 which extends through an arcuate; slot '9iljformed in'the backplate of the casingjfid (Figs. I0 and 11).. 1

The. power transmissionimeans 35 is. operative to more bit T alternatelyinto the, can 25. and into the asepticizingjmeansffli by movement of.theconnecting. 1201189 along the arcuate, slot 99. The powertransmission .meansf3'5 is further adapted to. maintain, thefibilt. 85in; a. vertical .poSition at all times (Fig. 10). In; order to move,position the. bit 85 in the "desired manner, the power transmissionmeansv 35 includes a, drive gear. 9.3 which simultaneously meshes with.apair of vertically aligned spur gears, one spur gear 95. being disposedabove and the other spur gear 9Tbeinglocated below thedr'ive. ear 93. H

The gears and 9,1 are keyed to shafts 99 and |'0|j, .respective'1y, bypins I93 and I05. The shafts are journalled in suitable bearings {05which are supported upon a verticallyextending angle shaped structuralmember N8 the lower end of which is attached to the housing- $29, Thedrive gear .93 is keyed to a shaft. ID] by pin, [09, the shaft beingoperatively connected to power Crank arms Ill and H3 are attached to thedriven gears 9.5 and 91 by bolts 5 and rotate with the associated gears(Fig. 11).. 'The arms I H and I'M-extend outwardly from the center ofrotation of gears 95 and 91 in parallel relation and connect to avertically extending cross arm. ill. The cross arm I! is pivotallysupported on the crank arms 'I and H3 by hearing lugs .|j|'9 located atpoints equidistant from the centers of gears '95 and 91. The connectingrod 89 associated with the punch means 3| is fixedly attached to thecross arm and ispositioned so that it extends, horizontal-1y through thearcuate slot '90 located in the back member 65 of casing 64, theassociated can opening bit 85 being vertically disposed (Figs. .10.andll).

The vertically aligned gears 93., 9.5 and 9-1 are all of the same sizeand shape and accordingly, rotational movement of the gears 95 and 91maintain the parallel relationship of the associated crank arms I andl3, and the vertical disposition of the cross arm H1. As .a resultofmovement of the gears 93, 95, and 9.l,--the con i necting rod 89 istranslated over an arcuate path "in slot 199 and at the same time,the'attach'ed bit 85 is maintained in the verticaliposition.

The slot 90 in the plate 65 is covered by 'arotorotate the disc 9| aboutpin 9Ia As a-result,

the slot 90 is covered at all times preventing'ac- =ce'ss to thepower'transmission means from the front of the machine I5.

& It will be apparent to those familiar with the art that other meansmay be provided for closing slot 90 While at the ing rod 89.'

' same time permitting movement of the connect- The'power means 33 isoperative to drive gear 93 and 'move the bit 85 through its arcuatepath' in slot '99. In the illustrated embodimena'the power means 33 isdisposed'in"compartment 63, locatedinthe rearward'portion of the housing29,- and comprises an alternating -'current,'-series i wound. motor I2Iand a conventional gear reduction .unit, designated generally*as"l23 inthe drawings; The motor I2I .is of the reversible type and isadapted tooperate'froma 110 volt,60

cycle supply or other available source ofrpower.

The motor includes the usual armature winding I2Ia and'field coil IZIb(Fig. 13). The gear reduction unit I23 links the motor I2I and shaft I01ofthe' power transmission means 35 so asto rotate-the drive gear 93 atabout "1 /2 R.'P,.

.The control circuit 31'- is both electrical and mechanical 'in natureand includes a 'camland relayarrangement for readying and operating\various parts of the vending machine I5 in timed relation and forinsuring the safety'of persons using the can-opening apparatus I3. Inparticuprotective fuse I29 and a starting circuit designated generallyas 'I3I.;(Fig'.1.1-3).-.- The'starting circuit I'3I includes acircuitI33 which is nor- .mally closed by a switch actuated by the'asepthcizing means 36,-a starting: solenoid I35, a. circuit- I31 which isopened by insertion of a {can 25 into chamber 59, a circuit I39.operativelv connected to the coin operatedunit I9, a circuit I4I whichis operated by the door 55 closing I the chamber 59 and safety means I43for preventing access to'the chamber 59 while the can;25 is be-.ingnpunchedw V .-.-,Thecontrolcircuit 31 further comprises a plu- 4reality of; cams which are operative 'to- "controlthe movement ofthepunch means 3I' after :the motor l2- I-.has been energizedbytheistarting ciIcuitJ-I3I I 46 operative toreverse thedirection-of themotor 7 I 2 I a ,circuit interrupting cam. I41 anda ..cam, .I 4B whichis operative. to reverse ,t' h edireC- .Ltherebyfto r'eturr' v the punchn'dby position' 93fi The cams 'tion. of "motor I .2.I meansjj to the I15 .95;. H 31 d {electricalconnections v p ra mighi ss eies m n Wurst sm n r eidescribed, 'to'fp'erformithe indicated operations. In order toprevent "indiscriminate use vo istraws'fl means I50 are provide dfin tthe entrapment rate ditionya pair'fof cir- Land includes a circuit.breaking cam jjilfii a; cam v means 36.

"The'c cent st cuits I5I and I52 are provided maintenance purposes; I v

The cordincludes'a pair of conductors I53 and I55, one conductor, I53,being grounded to'the frame (not shown) of the vending machine I5, theother conductor, I55, being connected to the for testing and single poleswitch I21. The plug I25 is adapted to fit into a wall socket to providepower for the control circuit 31 and power means 33. The single poleswitch I21 is of a commercially available type and connects to the fuseI29-which serves the usual function of protecting the electrical circuitfrom shorts or overload conditions. Power is conducted from the fuse I29through the circuit-i33 which is normally closed bythe 'asepti'cizing'means 36 to amain power line or bus, designated generally as I51;

The normallyclosed circuit'l33 comprises a switch I59 which is closedbythe asepticizing means 36. The'switch I59 (Fig. 3) includes "avertically extending flexible arm I63 which is supported at the upperend upon the plate number 65 and a pin I65 which is attached to thelower end of the arm I63 and which extends through an aperture in theplate member '65 into the chamber GI to engage the asepticizing In orderto assure closure of the switch I59 a blister or boss I61 islocatedon'the inner side of the door 51 to compartment 6| which forces theasepticizing means 36 intopositive engagement with'the pin I65. I

The starting relay I35 may comprise anyone "of a number of commerciallyavailable alternatshown Fig; 13. On the other hand, when the solenoid I69 is not connected to a source of power,

the plunger I13 dr'o'psfconnecting contacts I19 through the circuitclosing means I11.

The; circuit m which is opened by insertion of a can 25 of merchandiseinto chamber 59 includes a switch I81 of the same type as that describedpreviously in connection with circuit -means 1I when the door isloweredthereby positively'opening switch I81.'-The switch I81iselectrically connected to the bus I51 through a conductor I89 and to thestarting solenoidil 35 through-con'ductorsI91 and I93.

ircu'i't' I39 which is operativeiy connected "to the coin operated unitI9 includes' af'jdelay or "connected 'to the coin 11 bb i s r ntis a ba'i- The timi'ng-relay I mav bfepr any w llk qwnineehev a s e oidtwtaoperate-ethis circuit, 1 a coin is dropped :into slot 23 of the coinoperated unit 1-B-causinga pulse "20f current to, be passed throughconductor; 199 rthesolenoid 191. .As a--.result, the timing .a'elay 19.5--.-is operated opening contacts 203 and cl'osi-ng contacts 295. The-.-relay 195 does ,not restore itself to its n'ormalposition nntil-after the predetermined delay-period which is :prfer- -=a2bly about2-mi-nutes. a I

:The icontacts 21l3 -of, the :timingrelay 1.95 are normally closed andare connected to the busa1-5'1 through conductor 209 and to groundthrough conductor 2.1 Land contacts'181 and solenoid 169 of the startingrelay 1.35. This provides a self- :holdingci-reuit :for the startingrelayz135 which is :broken by energizing "the-timing relay 19.5, openingcontacts 203. I

:iIhe-door operated circuit 14.1-.is .i-n parallel wi-th-thecircuit"1'39-.opened by the delay .relay 1 95%and-includes'aconventional type switch 213 which is opened by raising the door'55andclosed by'lowering thisdoor. The switch .213 includes '-.a-d0or-engag-ing cam 215 which slides into an indentation 211 formed in thedoor 55, when it is lowered, causing switch 213 to close (Fig. 13).

switch 213 is electrically connected to the =bus1-51 through lead 219and to ground through conductors .221 and @211, and contacts 181 andsolenoid .159 of the starting relay 135. Thus a second self-holdingcircuit for the starting relay is provided which is broken by openingswitch "-213.

The "safety "means 143 for preventing access to compartment 59 by the-purchaser includes a :generally L-shaped mechanical latching :member22-3 which is connected to the plunger 1'13 of the starting relay 135."Ihe-latchingmember-223 is operative to lock the door '55 closed whenthe :plunger. 113 drops, to---ho1d the plunger 1'13 :in an intermediateposition when door 55 .israised, and to unlock the door 55 when 'thepunching operation is completed. 1

The iatch -member'223 includes a pair of legs, which are "at"right'angles to one another, one :-leg 225 being connected to theplunger 1'13 by {a pin-226, the other leg :22 having a notch 22 8ttormed "at its outermost end which is propertioned to engage the topedge of the door 55. .Inaddition, the latch member 2223 is -pivotallysuppor-ted :upon the-housing 29 by a pin229 and is positionedandproportioned so 'that the notch i228 engages 'the top edge ofthe-door 55 when the plunger 1"1 3 -.ofthe starting relay135 drops. LTheleg .221 permits free movement of the door e55-when-the-plunger 173 israisedga'nd the latch member-223 is dimensioned to engage the face ofthe door 55, when raised, to prevent the .p1unger 17 3 fromdroppingbelow an intermediate 'position'when the door 55 .is raised.

In order to drop theeplunger 1 '13 of the starting relay 135 to connectcontacts -119=andto "energize the .motor 121 .a coin :is inserted i-nthe -.coinroper ated unit -19. This causes the timing ,relay @195 tooperate tojopenconta'cts 203; In. ad-

' dition, the .door 55 'must-beeraised to effect the opening of switch21.3-1t'o thereby disconnect the two self -lholdin'gcirciiit's whichenergize'the starting relay 135.

p After the door beenQraised, I the-can .25 I

of .merchandise is inserted into compartment 59. The insertion.o'fthe-ca'n opens switch 181 and, Qa's. ares'ultfthe starting .relaysolenoid .16'9 is {Wholly disconnected from the bus 151. The p neer.1173 is. then electricallyv.i-ree to drop. .g w v ree or me l n r c ncan. th do r ;?5 5-";mt1Sl? be closed so that t ,notch .223 -.-of theelat'ch member 223 can move .into engagement withthe-top of the door 55closed position. v 7

When theplunger 1'13 of the starting *rela-y .135 drops contacts 119 areelectrically v coniockingit :in she nectedso that current is connectedfrom'ithabus =15Lthrough conductors 231, 233, and 235, anormally closedswitch 23! associated with the circuit breaking cam 145, .and theconductor :239 to the armature 121a of the motor 121. .The armature 121ais connected to the field coil v12112 of theimotor-121 through'conductor241., 'switch 243 and lead 245. In'order'to complete thezmotorenergizing-circuit, the fieldcoil 121b'is connected to ground throughwire24'1'tand switch 249.

Asia-result ofxthe above connection, the motor 121 is started and, asbefore pointed out, -tlie cams- 145, 146, 14-1, :and 148 controlthe'rem'aining movements ofthe 1 motor 121. Theseca'ms "arekeyed orotherwise fixedly connected to the shaft 99 associated with the upper.gear of the power'transmission means 35 so that rotation of the motor121 causes rotation of the cams. Each of the cams 145, 1415, 141 and 148includes an eccentric'portion .251, 252, 253, and 254 respectively,which are operative to actuate "asso- Icia'ted switches 231, 255, 251and 259.

-butthe inertia of the power means '33 and associated parts causesthe-cams 145, 1415', 1'41, and 148 tocontinue rotation for'at least 5 sothat normally open switch 255 is closed by the eccentric'porti0nj2'52'of the associated earn 146. "The closingo'f switch 255causes the starting relay to be 're-energized, unlocking door55, andreverses the connections to 'the' field winding 1121b of the motor 121so that the motor will operate in' the opposite direction.

Switch 255 comprises contacts 261 and 263'arid is connected to the bus"15'! through conductor 265. Contact 261' is connected to thesol'enoid 169 of the starting relay 135 through conductors 261 and 1-93',therebyene'rgiz'ing the starting re- 'la y 135. As a result, plunger1'13 is raised, on-

lock'ing latch'member 2'23,and"contacts 181 are closed so as to permitself-holding of the relay 135 through the door operated circuit 141and/or coin operated circuit 139. If the door 55is'raise'd,

the plunger 1 13 is mechanically 'held'u p and removal of 'canf25closes'switch 181 causing the 'is'tarting relay-1'35 "to be positivelyoperated.

The other contact 263 of switch 255 connects the bus l 51"*'to a"multi-conta ct, Switching relay "269 which includes self-holdingcontacts 2 1 1, motor energizingcontacts21'3fand mdtonreversmg ortransfer switches '2 4 3i? and 249.1;fWhenFthfe 'relay 2fi.9 i'sjenerizfi by connectionto the bus 151, the contacts 211 and .213 fare-closedaha switches 24:; and 24s, are "attuned to reverse. the

field .coil connections of. the 11101301112 1-, {More erti menawn h .the"field reversing switches 243 m .249 are actuated, the :phase or thecurrent passing through the afield-coil .i reversed connectingthe-armature winding J21. i h mi s texeiia h e01 I b'thm sz lead 241,switch 243, andconductors 215 and 241. The other sideflof the coil'I2Ib' is grounded 'thrdu gh' conductors 245 and 211, and switch 249. 1Thefmotor energizing contacts 213 are conne'cted' tothebus I51 through aconductor-28l and to the armature winding I2Ia through conductors 283and 239. Accordingly, closure of switch 255 by cam I46 energizes themotor I2I andcauses it to travel in the'opposite direction 'sothat thecams'l45,"l4 6, I41, and I49 and punch means 3| are moved in acounter-clockwise direc- The eccentric portion 252 on cam I46 ispositioned so as to closeswitch 255 at a time prior to termination ofclockwise rotation of the cams 'I45,-' [46,141and I48. but after themotor 'I2I is de-energized. This is donein order that a safety factor beprovided and the' apparatus will conttinue to operate if for some reasonthe deceleration of the power means 33 be increased, as for example,during cold weather operation, during the first .fe'w cycles of theapparatus I3 after a period of non-use, etc. I I Self-holding contacts21I keep the relay 289 energized after switch1255 is opened. This isaccomplishedby conne'ctingthe relay 269.170 the bus 151 throughconductors 285 and 281', selfholdin'g contacts 2'1I, lead 289, testingmeans I5I, conductor 29I,'the circuit interrupting switch 251 associatedwith cam I41; and conductor 293. After approximately 195. ofcounter-clockwise rotation" of the cams I 45, I46, I41, and I48 and bit'85, i. e. about 15 beyond the rest position 43, the eccentric portion2530f interrupting cam I41 opens switch 251 de-energizing relay 269. Asa result, switches 243 and 249 are -a ctuated,reversing the field coilconnections of the motor HI and opening the motor energizing contacts213. How,- ever, the inertia of the power means'33 causes additionalcounter-clockwise rotation" or coasting so that the eccentric portion254 of cam'l48 closes" ness in the system will not prevent furtheroperation of the apparatus I3.

When switch 259 is closed, the bus I51 is connected to the motor I2lthrough conductor 295 effecting a clockwise rotation of the cams I45,I46, I41, and I48 (Fig. 13) whereupon the switch 259, after'a fewdegrees of such rotation of the motor I2 I, is opened disconnecting themotor I2 I. The inertia of the power means 33 and associated partscarries the cams I45, I46, I41, and I46 and punch means 3| to the restor standby position 43. j The circuit I50 for opening the strawcompartment 11 includes a solenoid 299 having a plunger 3.0I andassociated latch member 303 similar to that which looks the door 55tocompartment 59. The solenoid 299 is connecte'dt'o the bus I51 throughcon'ductor'305, and to ground through contacts'205 of the timing relayI95 and conductor 309. Thus, the solenoid 299 is only energized for thedelay time of relay I95. The latch member 303 normally locks the door 8|of the straw compartment 11, however, energization of the solenoid 299causes the plunger 30I to be lifted thereby moving the associated latchmember 303 and unlocking door 8|. 7 vThe test circuits I5I and I52includekeys 309 and 3I I respectively which are operative toactuatevarious circuits and parts in the can opening apparatus I3.Through reference to Fig.

13, persons" familiar with the art can readily 75 be desirable to'bendall of'thelegs339 in this The asepticizing-means "36. includes ancizingsolution3135a: container or receptacle 3 I 5, a member 3| 1 which318 ioperative to-iflush the so:- lution .3 I 3 around the bit 85 i whenentering the container 3I5 and wipe a substantial portion of .thesolution from the bit 85 when removed from the container, and. a novelframe structure 3I9 disposed .withinthe container -3I5 for supportingwiping, member 3 I1.. In the preferred:enibodiment of the'invention, theasepticizing means 36' further includes a rectifier 323,:shownschematically by dotted lines in Fig..13,' which is op erative to.pass'a current through. an ionized asepticizing solution 3I3 andliberate a sterilizing gas on the surface of the bit 85 .to. moreeffectively destroy anyharmful bacteria.

The receptacle 3l5 is ofa commercially available type and is preferablyfabricatedfrom metal. Thereceptacle 3I5includes the usual cylindricalsides 325, top 321 and bottom 329, and is desirably of the samedimensions and type, as ,the can .;25 used to contain the merchandise sothat1 a*- c an may be used for either purpose. The top 321 may havelines of weakness 33I formed therein' so that a ici'rcular portion maybe punched-out to permit the entry of the bit into the can 3l5 (Fig. 4).On the other hand, a conventional type canopener may be used to remove aportion of the top 321.

The flushing and wiping member 3 I1 isfabricated from a fiexible elasticmaterial, such as rubber, and is generally disc shaped having a diametersomewhat less than the diameter of the can 3I 5. "In the illustratedconstruction, a plu rality or radially extendingslits or cuts 3 3 3 areformed .in the flushing and wipingmeinber 3I1 which extend outwardlyfrom an'opening' in the center ofv the member a distance approximating Vthe radius as shown in Fig. '1. As a result/a plurality .of generallytriangularly shaped-flaps 335 are'formed. The novel frame structure 3I9of the asepti cizing .means .36 is' fabricated from a pair of identical"sections, 336 one of which is shown in detail in Fig. 6a. Each section,as shown, corn prises a generally horizontally extending annular section331, having a diameter somewhat less than the diameter of the can 3I5, aplurality of downwardly extending legs 339 and a multi: plicity ofupwardly extending arms or tabs 3 the legs ass and armsf34l beingintegral with the annular section 331. 1 T In order to assemble theframe structure 3H and support the wiping member 3I1, a-firstsec tion336 is held upright and the wiping 'member 3I1 placed on the-annularsection 331. second frame section336' 'is fitted over the first-{sectionso'that its annular section331fits over thaw in'g member 3I1I -Thej'twoframe sections336 are held'to ether', trimming the arms r't s e41 ofthesecbnd. frame vsection336 under the annularsection331 ofjthe firstframememberi336 as shown at 345, thereby positivelyholdingthe win;- ingmember 3I1 between the respective annular sections .331. M I v i Thelegs 339 press against the sides 325 of the can 3l5alon'g their lengthand engage the bot tom 329 of the can 3I5 at their foot. wAs a result ofthe relation between the frame; 'sections;,336

certain legs 339 extend below others .and,:ac.-

cordingly, these legs; are bent,,as shown at-340. If a can having verythinmetal is used, itfWill 36:52-5 :12 :1'; I. ;.1" t Lise-11;. Ii".iiianner to prevent puncture aofe-the tbottoml329 or-the) can 3| 5 Theiunbentlarmskfl Lalsepress legainststhersides 325-loLthe. .can :31 5.and engage the top :32] .lattthei'r upper-iend. .AS a result the framestructure 3!!! is rigidly held in thefc'an alihs-ltflp e ,N e theframe'memberfl 9 is-iplaceddn the tan 3 l5, ropeningstdflareiormedvbetween the annular sections 331, wiping member 3 I1 andetheeides;.325; bfsthe Jean 3 |-5. These openings pro- ;yideepassageways forethe asepticizing: r solution between .theisp'ace-abo've and that belowthe wip member 3l1.

srslnaoperationswhn the n A ei'zingmmeans 1.36, the flaps- 335 are.depressed, flushing solution. 3L3 up through ope'nirig's 34! around theupper portion o'-the.;bit85 (Fig; 8). when the bit -85-is-with'drawnfroni-the solution, the. flaps 535- =are inverted causing;a suction so that solution 313 is-rapidly -girawn glewr'rthro'u'ghopenings 341 (-Eig,='9-)-.- -In addition "to this 'su c tibn-wherrthebit is withdrawn, the flaps 335 wipe a subst'antial portionof thesolution 313 from the bit:85.'---

Eliesterilizingsolutien'3ISirrthe a elfs' sheii d a ticize d-wash h b tI 5 wh n it te s the can 315- "Aocordinglm; the solutionpreferablyeomprises'a detergent a'ndhaotericide whieh arecompatiblewithone'another. gy way of exa l a mi e Va h i e bem o nd n analkali;such as'a solution. containing .2 part of 'sediiim-hypochlorite,4z8parts of tri-so'dium DhQS- pha't'eand 95 part's-water, has beenfound. tobe very satisfactory, The solution ignizes so that we possible tocondugteurre b therethrough and ei t ew l i me l'q e e d e e s tait'idliem n bit 3 HQWQVQ i pu db idfsmddihat the .ion edso u n m y. be. Iu edindependent of "electric current for asepticizin'g' r ---'I-heliberation of chlorine and agitation lef the ol ti r un t biififi i e meeh i o'n eat ng --the punchmeansjl to' grqu iganethe j n 3 1 9 .3 6 Jan." hro eh l 3.4 and contact 35!; The rectifier unit 32311 bper; e t ei e n tential esy of i et eh1 fine and cause agitatign at the bit 85, ofthe punch-means 3],. 'Ihe rectifier; 3,2 3.is .eonnected tothepowerinput' -on the protectedsidjfofjfiie a 3. flimugh l d 353; Show:in. o ted l fiel 3; .Thp' h nth b t ..v .lnt d 'ced m the -hypochloritesolution antjeleg'trolgtie hell is formed, the bit 85 comprisinjg ananode the can Ior periniting selective 9 in the alternative, a non ionic solutionfmay The usedfer cleansing and sterilizing the hitf85. As

operation of the redtifir an xampleix ll of 1 q e n ry. am ibn um m dnd' e n n- 1 de ef en t c as a solution containing a -.02 partcetyldimethyl ammqn-ium bromide. fpalft so'dium alkyl "aryl Sultanate, a'eioo parts of water; 'When a' solu-' tion (if-thisnature' is used itis-not necessary to then be closed and a can 3l5 of the asepticizingit'i'teesaesse tssil punch means 319 comprisesia'nenneetingerm 8 58 I;;e:; -4 solution 3l 3 plaeed incq partnie ljj therj closing switch I59angl connegting power us 151. If, n ion zeqesep ciz nshelper. used and.rectifier 323 employed switch 355 should s ec eds, In order for apurchaser to obtain an open eg n o me d s sellowle em kr $1 entinstance, a coin-must be ,inserteclin slot c us a 25, Qf mi fieeme ntbursing y-.1 anei1me w 1 e I 95 to operate. The purchaser must the movethe can from thetray IL raise the per which isop r'tivie l'ofien'switehl2113 the can of merchandis -in'the 'g'pide I: partment 59 and .'olo'se t"e'il oor5f5therehy n. ing'switch I81}. ai'resne' nestarpm I I85 iseleotrieally del13. o'f the starting." 0 'yfl35 ampsiaonh tacts I19 andenergizing, 'tri lmiqter, 1 21" timing relay I unlobksfjth door 18!.tdth

-meshed l'lql riflflawisriQlimfd-s fi -n 1'0:-

'wliichrconnectsito the. cross. barJ n .offthe pater transmissibn rneans35.;at ne.;end,and l'alt gthe other end oeiinets to a. rosspieee383srThe'crbss pieee' '3fl3 prevides support forl a-evertica'lly 'e'xallelrelation with the spike 385. The spike pro 13 f. vides the vent hole380a and consequently is somewhat smaller than the bit 387.

Various of the features of this invention which are believed to be neware set forth in the following claims.

We claim:

1. In apparatus for opening a can of merchandise, a receptaclecontaining a sterilizing liquid, a can opening punch, actuating meansfor piercing said can with. said punch and for thereafter contactingsaid punch with said liquid.

2. In apparatus for opening a can of merchandise, a receptaclecontaining a sterilizing solution, a can opening punch, actuating meansfor piercing said can with said punch, for contacting said punch withsaid solution, and for thereafter effecting relative movement of saidpunch and receptacle to free said punch from said solution.

3. In can opening apparatus of the type deing member, and means foralternately operatively engaging said can opening member with a can ofmerchandise and with the solution, and means for conducting anelectrical current through said punch and said solution when saidopening member is in the solution.

5. In can opening apparatus of the type described, a receptaclecontaining an ionized sterilizing solution, gas forming ions in saidsolution, a punch, means for alternately operatively engaging said punchwith a can of merchandise and flexible elastic material having anopening and a plurality of slits formed therein, said slits extendingoutwardly from said opening, means for reciprocating said punch throughsaid member into and out of said sterilizing liquid at about saidopening in said sheet so as to wipe said punch as an incident to saidreciprocating movement.

7. A device for sterilizing a can-opener, comprising in combination areceptacle which contains a sterilizing liquid, said receptacleincluding a bottom and top, said top havingan opening formed therein topermit entry and withdrawal of a can-opener, a frame disposed withinsaid receptacle, said frame comprising a pair of frame sections, eachframe section including a generally horizontally extending annularsection, a plurality of leg members which extend vertically between theannular sections and bottom of the receptacle, and a multiplicity ofarms integral with said annular section, said frame sections beingarranged so that the respective annular sections are in spaced parallelrelationship, and being interconnected by a portion of said arms, theremainder of said arms extending Vertically and engaging the top of saidreceptacle, and a wiping member which is held between said spacedannular sections,said member including a sheet of elastic materialhaving a plurality of slits formed therein which extend from a commonpoint on said sheet, said member being operative to wipe said can-openerin its passage therethrough.

ROY A. BRUCE. ROBERT W. HAM'AN.

with said solution, and means for applying an means for sterilizing saidpunch comprising a receptacle having a top and bottom and containing asterilizing liquid and a wiping member positioned intermediate the topand bottom of said receptacle, said member comprising a sheet ofREFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,264,441 Rue Apr. 30, 19181,672,416 La Clair June 5, 1928 2,241,448 Elboum May 13, 1941 2,241,947Goodwin May 13, 1941 2,248,389 Sanders July 8, 1941 2,258,676 De LanoOct. 14, 1941 2,316,897 Smith Apr. 20, 1943 2,338,714 Garner Jan. 11,1944 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 366,991 Germany Feb. 25, 1921

